Senior Engineer (Plant Design)

Orange County Sanitation District; Fountain Valley (CA); On-site; USD 164,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Orange County Sanitation District is seeking a Senior Engineer (Plant Design) to lead complex design and construction projects for wastewater facilities, with emphasis on process optimization and regulatory compliance.

The role involves technical leadership, management of capital projects through all life cycle phases, and collaboration with operations, maintenance, and engineering staff to deliver safe, reliable infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, with major coursework in civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical, or environmental engineering or a related field, dependent upon area of assignment.
• Six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional engineering work experience.
• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
• Must possess a valid registration as a professional engineer (P.E.) in the State of California.

Responsibilities

• Lead and participate in a variety of the most complex engineering assignments in planning, design, construction, operations, and compliance of wastewater facilities, infrastructure, systems, and programs.
• Manage major capital projects through all phases of the project management life cycle; inspect and analyze plant operations, develop solutions, and implement process improvements.
• Provide guidance, technical direction, and training to other engineering staff; research problems and propose operational or policy solutions.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical, or environmental engineering

Master’s degree in civil/environmental engineering

Job description

Orange County Sanitation District

Senior Engineer (Plant Design)

SALARY $164,424.00 - $199,846.40 Annually

LOCATION Orange County Sanitation District, CA

JOB TYPE Full-time

JOB NUMBER 8

DEPARTMENT Engineering

DIVISION Design

OPENING DATE 08/17/2026

CLOSING DATE 8/31/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Description

What do you value in your next job?

At the Orange County Sanitation District our Core Values form the framework of our organization and reinforce our professional work ethic. If the following values ring true with you, we'd love to invite you to explore our career opportunities further.

Integrity, Inclusion, Honesty, and Respect We aspire to the highest degree of integrity, inclusion, honesty, and respect in our interaction with each other, our suppliers, our customers, and our community. We strive to demonstrate these values in our actions, commitments, and service.

Leadership, Teamwork, and Problem Solving We lead by example, acknowledging the value of our resources and using them wisely to achieve our mission. We strive to reach OC San goals through cooperative efforts and collaboration with each other and our constituencies. We work to solve problems in a creative, cost-effective, and safe manner, and we acknowledge team and individual efforts.

Customer Service, Transparency, and Accountability We are committed to acting in a timely, accurate, accessible, and transparent manner through excellent customer service. We are committed to act in the best interest of our internal and external stakeholders.

Resiliency, Innovation, and Learning We continuously develop ourselves, enhancing our talents, skills, and abilities. We recognize that only through personal growth and development will we progress as an agency and as individuals.

Safety We are committed to providing a safe work environment. We will demonstrate leadership, promote individual accountability, and participate actively in the advancement of our health and safety practices.

OC San is currently looking to fill the role of a Senior Engineer (Plant Design). Under general direction, leads and participates in a variety of the most complex and responsible engineering assignments in the planning, design, construction, operations, and compliance of wastewater facilities, infrastructure, systems, and programs; manages major capital projects through all phases of the project management life cycle; inspects and analyzes plant operations, develops solutions, and implements process improvements; serves as subject matter expert and advisor to management staff on assigned plant systems, projects, or programs; researches complex problems, conducts technical engineering-related studies, and recommends operational, program, or policy solutions; provides guidance, technical direction, and training to other engineering staff; and performs duties as assigned.

Job duties for the Senior Engineer within the Design Division may include, but are not limited to:

Technical Leadership - Providing functional and technical leadership over other team members, as well as technical and administrative staff; providing technical leadership, expertise, and customer service in the development, design, commissioning, and construction of projects; performing and managing the most diverse, largest and complex assignments, projects, and analyses requiring advanced knowledge of the concepts and practices of wastewater treatment; assisting OC San staff in resolving complicated or urgent issues by carrying out field investigations, troubleshooting, performing engineering analyses, and researching as-built engineering data and available solutions in the industry; researching and evaluating complex problems by conducting engineering related studies; participating in the development of requests for proposals and scopes of work, reviewing proposals, and selecting consulting engineers; technical oversight and monitoring of consultant's designs for compliance with the scope of work, engineering standards, design quality expectations, and stakeholder needs; coordinating designs with operations and maintenance staff through teamwork and collaboration; and participating in and leading design workshops and design constructability reviews.

Construction Support - Assisting construction staff to ensure projects are constructed in compliance with contract documents; reviewing construction submittals for compliance with the technical specifications; developing recommendations to project problems and issues during construction; and providing technical training on the operation of new facilities or changes to existing facilities.

Quality and Engineering Standards - Ensuring that established engineering standards, policies and procedures, and engineering best practices are applied consistently; establishing, managing, and updating engineering policies, procedures, guidelines, standards, and technical specifications to meet current best practices and engineering design requirements while capturing lessons-learned from construction and operations/maintenance staff; attending and participating in professional group meetings to stay abreast of new trends and innovations; and researching emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to OC San needs.

Qualifications & Requirements

Requirements:

1. Bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, with major coursework in civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical, or environmental engineering or a related field, dependent upon area of assignment.
2. Six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional engineering work experience.
3. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
4. Must possess a valid registration as a professional engineer (P.E.) in the State of California.

Desired:

• A strong background in civil/environmental engineering, methods of wastewater treatment, and odor control.
• Previous experience overseeing the design, replacement, rehabilitation, and abandonment of plant process areas to protect public health and the environment.
• Previous experience in collections system infrastructure/pipelines and pump stations.
• Previous experience with the design, replacement, rehabilitation, and abandonment of civil utility systems, wastewater collections system pipelines, and pump stations.
• A master's degree in civil/environmental engineering.

Recruitment & Selection Process

Vacancies: 1

(an eligible list may be established for future vacancies)

APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE: Monday, August 31, 2026; 5:00 P.M.

(or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received)

Hiring Salary Range: $164,424.00 – 181,292.80/Year

(starting salary will be within this range based upon qualifications)

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various OC San sites, projects, and/or meetings; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 35 pounds.
• Mobility to work in changing site conditions; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders.
• Perform light physical work; lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 51 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.
• Frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards.
• Climb ladders, install cabling, work around and in low voltage field control panels and hardware; use electrical and networking test equipment; use tools to remove, install and test equipment including servers, network equipment, power supplies, fiber optics and cabling.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• May work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust, and air contaminants.
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

OTHER REQUIRMENTS

• Probationary Period: All OC San employees, except classifications considered “at-will”, are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, policies, and/or resolutions. Employees who have not yet successfully completed their initial probationary period serve “at-will” and may be released from employment without cause or recourse to any appeal or grievance procedures.
• Pre-Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of OC San’s pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation, a physical examination, and a drug screen.
• Work Location Assignment: Employees will be assigned to a work location based on business needs which may be located at any/all of OC San locations; this work location may be changed at any time.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS All Orange County Sanitation District employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the Orange County Sanitation District requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

OTHER INFORMATION

For the full range of duties, responsibilities, and essential job functions please review the Classification Specification for this position found on our website. Applicants must clearly demonstrate, through their application materials, that they meet the minimum requirements as outlined in the job announcement and class specification to receive further consideration. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process.

False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

To ensure your application is accurate and complete, please review the Job Application Guide (Download PDF reader).